Blog in Real Time, June 30th 1862, Manassas Jctn

Camp Whitcomb, near Manassas Junction Va

              Monday June 30^th 1862

Dear Martha,

Your letter of the 20^th inst came to hand on the 24^th.  The only fault I had to find with it was its brevity.  I wanted to know all about how the people looked in the church and on the green Class day, whether the Seniors were dressed in light blue breetches and dark blouses, and nice wide army brogans, or whether they looked just as they always do, awfully hot black vested, pantalooned and dress-coated and high booted martyrs to female loveliness. Tell me all about it.  You occupied so much space, would it had been doubled, in describing Emma’s visit to you that you had but a few lines to devote to that great day – Class day. How could you have made so great a mistake as to think you had written to me of Emma’s visit to You?

I recollect that you wrote that she was expected to visit Cambridge, and I was in hopes of hearing from her and you at the same time. Such a letter would have been very welcome after the exhausting marches which ended at Front Royal, especially since one of my old female correspondents ceased, though sometime before, to write her sparkling letters.  I take it for granted that you are staying with Cousin Sumner. Give my love to the family what little of it remains in town.  I should like to be with you in the sitting room and chat with Mrs. Wheeler; as old. They tell me at home that another grand daughter Alice Ellesmere, has opened her eyes upon this naughty world.  If the war now raging is to last 20 years, Alice Ellesmere should have been a boy.  It shows more patriotism now, as in the dawning days of the Amer. Revolution to have boy babies. Should Cousin Alice and Mr Sargent come to Framingham while you are there, give them my best regards.  x  x  x  x  x  Remember me to the rest of my friends in Framingham whose names I will not attempt to write down for the rest I hope you will have a good time in F. and I don’t see how you can very well help to.  Write me of your mode of spending the time, and the sights you see. The towns people must be very proud of Gen’l Gordon who maneuvered one of Bank’s Brigades in his late masterly retreat to the Maryland side of the Potomac – a retreat caused by the withdrawal for Banks of Shield’s Division about the 12^th of May, not to speak of the previous detachment of the 12^th & 13^th Mass. Regts the 12^th & 16^th Ind. & 9^th N.Y. Regts on the 21^st March last which fought in the battle of Winchester, which was fought on the 22d march.  Were you in Framingham at the time of his recent visit after receiving his appointment as Brig General ?

     Matters hearabouts are in satis quo all except this paper which I can scarcely keep down even by the use of inkstand, a portfolio, diary, and both hands.  It will fly up occasionally to my discomfort, as I hate to blot my paper even when writing in a gale of wind at the seat of war.  I suppose some of our secession quaker & peace punsters call the seat of war a cane, i.e. Cain seat, a pun which will not bear again repeating.  We, that is Hartsuff’s Brigade, of Ricketts Div., of McDowell’s Corps, of Pope’s Department are here far from war’s changing and banging, drilling as if to make up for lost time.  During the whole of our stay in and about Front Royal we had no drills whatever, the men not being in a state to exert themselves greatly unless under absolute necessity; but the moment we came to this place a new leaf was turned and we now have a company or battalion drill in the morning and a brigade drill in the afternoon. The latter drill is conducted by Gen’l Hartsufff, the former by our company officers or by the Colonel.  The worst about the drills is that it is very hot and dusty.  X  x  x  x  x     Gen’l Shields Division went to Alexandria day before yesterday.  Another Division it is said is to leave McDowell, but whether ours, or that commanded by Gen’l King is uncertain. Manassas does not now present the same appearance as when we first came to it last March. Then all was bleak, barren ruin and desolation.  The place then destitute of ordered and cut up with ruts is now grassed over, and all that once disgusted the eye and offended the nostrils, rebel rubbish has been cleared away.  To be sure the evidence of rebel occupation and of the battle, source of many of our woes are numerous. Comfortable log–houses built for winter quarters fortifications and earthworks, leveled forests & now & then a ruined building speak of war. Near the station many saloons have been built and sutler’s stands for the accommodation of civilians visiting the battle field, and the soldiers. All-together the place is quite lively. You may never have seen a camp of wall tents, or Sibley tents, much less of shelter tents.  I may never have described the difference, just because it was so familiar to me, as you thought informing me that Ike Bradford and Geo Francis were engaged & married, never thought to tell me to whom, a matter upon which I am curious. It is now too late to speak of Sibley tents, because they have been forcibly taken from us by McDowell. The wall tent accommodating 6, 8 or 10 men is a square tent has been generally exchanged for the bill shaped Sibley tent.  The shelter tent is composed of three pieces in our Regiment, of two in the 9^th N.Y., each piece about 5 feet square. Two side pieces button upon each other.  x  x  x  x  x  We sleep head to the side of the tent, and not to the end which may be opened or shut at pleasure. This is because we are unable to sit up straight unless under the line where the two side pieces are buttoned together.  x  x  x

     [the letter giving the description of the tent is torn & illegible](JBN).

Blog in Real Time, June 26, 1862, Manassas Jctn

The following was downloaded from the now defunct website Letters of the Civil War.

Editor of the Gazette

Manassas Junction, Va., June 26, 1862.

        June 23d was pleasant and warm.  Sunday being a day of rest, we are not required to work; all we have to do this particular day is to rearrange out tents, pass through inspection, march a short distance from camp to attend church services, after which dress parade.

        The 24th was hot, dry and dusty during the forenoon; we expected a Brigade review and marched as far as Headquarters and were ordered back to camp.  Dark heavy clouds appear in the west and clouds of dust fill the air, blinding and nearly choking us.  We listen to the muttering thunder, and watch the flashing lightning–momentarily expecting the clouds to open and overwhelm us, but steadily we march on and reach camp; –form a line and are dismissed, then scamper to our tents.  Scarcely there when the torrents descend, notwithstanding the inconvenience of being wet through, there is something grand in these sudden storms.  The heavens abounded in deep dark gloom,–the roaring thunder now dull and heavy–the vivid lightning r------ing from horizon to horizon, form a scene as terrible as attractive.  Never have I seen it rain harder than it did yesterday.  In two minutes we were flooded; our furniture floating away–our everything wet through, water being several inches deep in many of the tents.  All hands bore it bravely an gave three cheers for the sun, which for a moment looked through a rift in the cloud, sagely concluding that “all is well that ends well.”

        Tuesday 25th, forenoon nothing especial–principally devoted to cleaning tents, putting rifles in order, and digging trenches to prevent another like trouble of yesterday, as appearances indicate another gathering of the watery element.  Lo the storm cloud is upon and over us; a flash of lightning, and in an instant the artillery of heaven is crossing over our heads.  Peal after peal, in quick succession startling both man and beast.

        25th.  Rather windy–took a stroll about the fields, witnessed the gunnery practice of different sections of the 5th and ---- Maine and 1st Pennsylvania Batteries, ---- in a field a mile or more distant was the target.  Some fine shots were made.  Gen. Hartsuff and staff, also Col. Stiles of the New York 9th were present.  The afternoon was devoted to Battalion drill, which lasted over four hours; I believe we came here for nothing else but to drill, drill, drill-how sickening the bare thought becomes.  It may be all right, but there are many here who think differently.

        Thursday and Friday, the same old routine–nothing of interest.  Many of the boys who were rendered unfit for duty, during the last march, are coming back to the regiment.  Last night the cars were employed–so says rumor–in conveying Gen. Shield’s division to Richmond.  I have no doubt the report is true.  How long we are to remain here is uncertain; I think we shall go up towards the Shenandoah river again instead of towards Richmond.                                                                                                          Azof.

(Roxbury City Gazette; July 10, 1862; pg. 2, col. 6.)

Blog in Real Time, June 22, 1862, Manassas

Manassas Junction Va., June 22 1862.

     

     Dear Father, - Here we are back at old Manassas again ; this makes the third time we have been here. We are encamped about two miles from the Junction, with wood and water handy ; the place has very much improved since we were first here. There is a Government Bakery in operation ; you can purchase a loaf of bread for five cents, - quite as cheap as you can buy bread in Boston.

I received your letter of the 15^th last Friday.  You draw my attention to letters and statements from members of our regiment, printed in the “Journal” and inquiring if they are correct ?  They are not strictly correct ; there is much exaggeration in some of these I know.  We have enough to eat of wholesome food, besides good coffee and sugar ; but when on a forced march, and two or three days’ rations are served out at the same time,  they will sometimes come short on account of their improvidence in the care of their rations, or perhaps eating up or wasting in two days what has been served out for three days.  In my last letter I spoke of our scant fare during a forced march of eleven days. But this could not be guarded against on account of severe storms, rendering the roads almost impassable for baggage trains.  What we complain of was that we were compelled to make the march at all in such weather.

We left Front Royal on the 17^th of June by rail, on platform cars. The ride, if it had not been very dusty, would have been pleasant. I think the army has all left there.  Shields’s Division came in yesterday ; we are now 20,000 strong.  I suppose we are to be held here as a reserve, this being a central point, and troops can be sent off as reinforcement by rail in several directions.

John Webb, with the leader of their band, came across the river to see me last Monday. Of course I was glad to see them ; John and his brother are well.  He said there was no truth in the story about their losing their instruments when pursued by the rebels a few weeks since.

Those rings that I sent home, you will dispose of as you please.  I wrought them out with my pocket-knife ; though you seem to doubt my ability to do it. They are chiefly valuable from the fact that they were wrought from the root of the gorgeous laurel taken from the battle-field of Bull Run.  The laurel is found growing by most all the streams here ; it has a beautiful white, bell-formed blossom.

June 29. – We are still at Manassas – faring very well, as we have been paid off, and can buy pies, cake, eggs, cheese, etc., of the sutler.  We have two drills a day, - battalion drill in the morning, brigade drill in the afternoon ; we do not have much idle time.  We are now in the “Army of Virginia,” under General Pope. I am glad he is over McDowell ; I do not think he was the right kind of man to have so important a position as he held, but I may be mistaken ; we are still under him, but he does no have so much power as formerly.

I see by the papers that cousin George Brown’s regiment has been in a severe battle ; I was glad not to see his name on the list of killed and wounded.

We had a smart shower here one day last week ; our tent did not leak much from above, but a stream three inches deep and the whole width of the tent came through it.  I had to prop my knapsack and other things up on a stick to keep them from being swept away. After the shower we started off after rails then made a large fire to dry our blankets, etc.  I tell you we slept bully that night ; it was the softest bed we have had for a long time.  We sank into the mud about two inches, but our rubber blankets kept much of the dampness out.

On a march, in a rain-storm, we pin our rubber blankets over our shoulders, letting them fall below the knees ; this affords considerable protection from the weather.  When we halt for the night, if there is a rail fence in sight, you ought to see a regiment of boys break for it : it takes just five minutes to level half a mile of Virginia rail fence. Soldiers look upon them?? as a perfect godsend ; besides using them to cook our suppers, when the ground is wet we can lay upon them, or make a little frame-work and throw our blankets over them to protect us from the weather, etc.

But here comes a rumor that we are to pack up immediately and start for Richmond to reinforce McClellan.  If this proves correct, I may not be able to write again so soon as usual, so I bid you all farewell. 

Warren.

Blog in Real Time, June 19, 1862, Manassas

                                    Manassas Va June 19^th 1862

Dear Mother

For variety I will direct this note to you, mater familias.  You have probably read by this time my letter to Martha of the 16^th inst.  On the 17^th inst we struck tents and marched to the Front Royal Station where we took the baggage cars for Manassas. We did not then know our destination. It was surmised that we were going to Richmond, where at any rate we are wanted, & where we should find something to do. Possibly we may go there now, but nothing certain can be predicated of our movements.  As we marched into camp I saw Gen’l McDowell for the first time, but not enough to satisfy me. He seemed to be a splendid looking officer with a piercing eye; desirous probably of seeing how we stood the hardships of our mountain soldiering.  Rickett’s brigade arrived to day. Shield’s probably comes to morrow.  There is a report not generally current, from a Washington source, that Hartsuff’s and Rickett’s brigade, with McDowell’s other forces and Gen’l King’s division move from Fredericksburgh upon Richmond, the whole force amounting to nearly 50,000 men; but I give this merely as a singular report, not generally currant.  Meantime the Philadelphia Enquirer of to day states that Hartsuff has been ordered to join Banks.  A petition to the War Department for our brigade to be transferred to Banks has been circulated among the privates of the brigade and generally signed.  Banks is popular with us and McDowell the reverse, but I have no faith in such petitions. Whether Front Royal is to be again turned over to the enemy I can not say, but I should not think the Government would so soon surrender the valley to Jackson who now is in strong force. 

We are there for the third time at Manassas, reaching here about 6 P.M. of the 17^th after a ride of about 6 hours from Front Royal.  We are better located than ever before, a fine spring being on one side of us, and a run to bathe in on the other side.  What a change with respect to prices.  Bread which there sold easily at 30 cents a loaf in camp and 25 cents in town is here sold for 5 cents, much cheaper even than at home, I should judge, for the loaves weigh  a pound and a half or more. Pies sell for about half the price they brought in Front Royal, newspapers ditto.

Occasionally I meat with “sounds from home.  Gus Coombs formerly I think in John Read’s store, whom Aunt Rebecca will probably know came into camp the day before we left.  He is a pay master’s clerk, and came with major – to pay off some regiment in Ricketts’s or Shield brigades. He finds Washington a very pleasant place to stay in on the snug salary of $1000 and perquisites.  P.J. Rooney’s brother was in camp to day, and Ned Wyeth a few days ago.

I received my pistol on the 17^th, but was somewhat surprised at not finding a sheath with it.  So I cannot carry it on my belt, but am obliged to cumber my knapsack with it.  It is a six inch 6 barrel Colt, Perhaps George my find a sheath for it at Read’s, at a reasonable price.  If so I hope to receive it in my box.  As it is the pistol can only be carried in the pocket, a place I am not inclined to trust it in.

How is my box getting on ?  Make the Sugar two pounds. I have to pay 20 or 25 cents for what I buy, and am glad to get it at that price. Do up the tea as before, namely in paper bags,  several up in cloth. It will go nicely these hot days when coffee gets somewhat played out.  In winter give me my quart of Java with tea very semi- occasionally; but now I want some tea.  I spoke of cheese, good cheese, a scarce article here any way, which sets off any meal, where butter is seldom to be had even at forty cents the almost universal price.  Pepper for the beans, our best meal in the army, and in my case a sovereign cure for my malady.  I may be affected with. Anything nice that will keep, and don’t forget to put the cigars in, because in that case George may smoke up the entry with them much to your discomfort.  Make the shirts long enough and hurry up the socks.  Direct the box as soon as possible to J.B.N. Co. B. 13^th Regt M.V. Washington D.C., care of Lieut. Chase, Sutler 13^th Mass Vols.  It will then come when Chase brings a load of goods to us which is any time convenient to him.  What I don’t think to speak of, you may think of or Charles.  If there is room send tow pounds of maple suger, beside what you send to me, viz. one pound.  Tell me what it costs, as it is for another person.  I believe I said send a common penstock,  and half a dozen pens, and a simple tight wooden ink stand, worth about 20 cents.  Do not send a Havelock, that superlative humbug.  A cotton bag, without a string, about a foot square for my haversack, I need, half a dozen large pant buttons, some pieces of string and some tape.  Frank Stimpson, Tom Welles, E.J. Fisher & Fitzgerald are all well.  I learn that the old gentleman, Mr. Stimpson, having bought out J.D. Green, has gone to Russia to couple the contracts of the old firm.  Has Mr. Stimpson spoken to father of the contract ?  Please send some postage stamps.  Wishing to bother you no more, and hoping to hear soon of the packing of the box, and of the good things put in from your own easy pen, I am

                        Your Affectionate Son

                                                John B. Noyes.

Blog in Real Time, June 16th 1862, Front Royal

Camp, near Front Royal Va  June 16^th 1862

Dear Martha

I have sufficiently spoken in my letters home of my late march.  I understand that a letter full of absurdity, and falsehood has been published in the Journal, purporting to give the particulars of it.  You may have seen it; I have not; if you have then my account may be set down as the correct one, the Journal to the contrary not withstanding.  Execrable letters get into the Boston papers from our regiment occasionally, the more’s the pity.  The Transcript I believe has a good correspondent, signing himself “Corporal.”  I haven’t seen any for some months. The Corporal is now the Regimental Ordinance Sergeant.

I have little in the way of military news to tell you.  Gen’l Shields’ Division came into town to day. I have only seen it from a distance. It must be somewhat used up.  Was it May 12^th they left New Market to report to McDowell. At any rate they marched 152 miles to Falmouth, which place they reached May 23d in time to be reviewed by the President.  The next day they received orders to start early on the 25^th for Front Royal, which place they reached the day before we did having marched all the way. Halting but one day for us to take charge of the prisoners they took, they proceeded on to Luray & have marched and fought much since.  Doubtless they have fared worse than we did, fare worse, rejoicing in their General Shields, and ruing the hour they ever heard of McDowell.  It is said that they are to go back to Fredericksburgh, but I know not with what truth.  Jackson is not destroyed, and he may be about to receive reinforcements. McDowell is a brother in law of Jackson. Perhaps Jackson likes such a general to contend with, the people hereabouts at least do not object to him.  Gen’l Fremont, who by the way you may not know was formerly a Lieut Col. in the Regular army, of that high corps, I think, the topographical Engineers, has been following up Jackson.  The New York Herald with little reason is inclined to shoulder the responsibility of the possible if not already completed failure of this campaign in the Valley upon Fremont, on the ground that he did not come to time at Port Republic, while chasing the rebels.  Fremont has certainly done nobly. He marched the day after the afternoon he received his orders and overcame incredible obstacles, harassed by the enemy at all times. His troups have marched hard, fared hard, and fought hard, and are to be praised.  No one who knows the character of the roads, the difficulty of obtaining supplies, and who comprehends the meaning of bridges destroyed by fire, and the raging waves, swollen by the terrible rains, and freshets, can charge Fremont with delay.  In truth he was at Port Republic practically while Shields was not.  But one or two brigades were at that bridge when Jackson drove them before with the loss of 8 or 9 cannon, and 1500 killed, wounded and missing.  Had Shields whole force been at the bridge, the tale might have been different. The story goes however that Shields’ general was ordered to destroy the bridge, but disobeyed orders.  Fremont came up in a few hours, hearing cannonading before him, but the bridge was in flames, and his progress stopped.  Perhaps you do not like to read of military matters.  I read a letter last night however of a gilt-stocking lady to a recipient in my company. The lady has a brother who is Captain in one of McClellan’s regiments, and another brother who is a sergeant under Gen’l Butler.  She gave a well digested account of the battle of Fair Oaks, in terse language showing careful study and thorough knowledge of what she was talking about.  So ladies can and do interest themselves in such matters. Yom are reading contemporary history when you read of the actions of the soldiers in the field.  Never a better opportunity of studying history.

I have just finished my plain supper of hard bread and coffee, and gingerbread cakes & cheese.  The coffee I boil myself in my tin mug.  It is only when the sutler comes, which is not often with a new stock, that I can get cake & cheese.

I find inspite of my having filled over three pages, I have not written any thing to you of special interest.  Perhaps I may write what I may omit to say now in my next letter home. It is quite cool to day, but for a few days past intensely hot.  Saturday for instance when we left camp to go on picket, it was 102 in the shade.  I left my blanket in camp, and slept wearing my overcoat in the evening.

Now for the small box, say as large or slightly larger than the former, not more than a foot square, that I want sent to me. Imprimis two shirts I spoke of with pockets inside on each breast, and pair of drawers, and two pair of stockings, and wash leather purse.  Also a pair of suspenders - the “Eureka” suspender, patented by Cutler Walker, if possible. This is the suspender I now wear, and did wear when I left Cambridge. The two parts are joined behind by a leather piece and the eyelet &c. ??? is leather straps, price 50 cents. It is impossible to get a good suspender here.  Send me also some tea; it will go well these hot days. I can’t drink coffee now in such quantities, and with such relish as in cold weather.  Also a little chocolate, and a pound or two of suger.  A small needle book, not stuffed just big enough for darning needles.  Army/Amy? preserves &c in sealed bottles you want to send, as it may not be worth while to send cake, which may not keep if the box be delayed.  A bottle of sweet oil. A little maple sugar, and such keepable delicacies.  I should send for a bottle of whisky, if you deal in such articles, for I verily believe I could discuss it to the advantage of my some-what light body, for I never weighted so little as now since I have been in the army.  But unfortunately you do not keep a hotel like Gen’l Butler.  Send no more woolens than I ask for, but all J do.  When I hear that the box will be ready to send on a certain day, I will give you directions for sending it.  Put the paper I ordered in the box and a bunch of envelopes, a few wafers, & half a dozen of the French pens I like so much. Send also John Halifax, Gent. Which I think is in my room among some novels in the boxes under the shelves of the yellow book case.  If you have any late novel you may send it. Send me one or two bags about 5 inches by 6, of such stuff a pant pockets are made of. These are good for coffee, rice, &c.  Charles may send me a few nice cigars you don’t meet with in this country, if you inform him of your intention of making up a box for me. Send some postage stamps also in your next letter as I am all out of them.

                        Your Aff. Brother

                             John B. Noyes.

Blog in Real Time, June 15, 1862, Front Royal, VA

The following came from the now defunct website "Letters of the Civil War."

Front Royal, Va., June 15, 1862.

Editor of the Gazette:

Front Royal is at the present time is filled with wounded soldiers. D-cilings, - ----- Churches, and every place are filled to ------ ----. The advance guard of Gen. Shields Division, consisting of two thousand men were attacked at Port Republic, and after a desperate resistance they were obliged to fall back with a lost of about fifteen men in killed and wounded. In turn, the rebels were ---- after driven back. The order given to burn the bridge was not obeyed – the result you know. Two hundred wagons made of wounded have arrived in town to-day.  They were hit in almost every conceivable place–in the head, arms, legs and body – a --- sight for sensitive --ture, though we have most of us got use to these things.  One hundred and fifty rebel prisoners leave for Baltimore this evening.  A surly looking set of fellows those rebels are–full of pluck, still confident of the success of the secesh cause.  If they are brutal in battle they but follow the example of the female kind, who are as vindictive as – I won’t say who.  The things called women in this part of the country, must at some time in their lives, have had infused into their nature a strong spirit of fiendishness; they are women of one idea, and that all wrong.  They seemingly have but one instinct, so imagine, if you can, what kind of feminines we soldiers have to deal with.  Some are quite lady like in their manners, when they choose to be, which is but seldom, so thoroughly are they imbued with the spirit of imaginary wrong–so often they have turned up their nasal organs – looked aslant, curled their lips, that most of the force that have met my view are sadly distorted.  Is it not a pity that the fairest and most beautiful creature of God’s creation, and gift to man, should, by her blindness and willfulness, render herself a bye word and scoff.  Think of a woman, one whom we from infancy have been taught to love, serve and protect–to consider the embodiment of all that is pure and good, drawing a pistol upon unarmed and wounded soldiers.  The bare thought is revolting, and yet no doubt of the fact exists.  Hugging a moral wrong to the heart, results in what we behold–moral deformity, dark, deep, implacable hatred.

            There is but little stirring in camp; we are fast gaining strength and recovering from the effects of the late march and attendant exposures.  Our commander, Capt. Hovey, has arrived safe at camp.  He is looking well, but is much troubled with his old complaint, rheumatism, and since his appointment to the command of company E, we have seen but little of him, owing to his affliction.  Lieut. Colburn and Frost have fulfilled the duties imposed upon them by his absence, in a manner which should gain them great credit.  During out long and tedious marches, there were many things occurring which sadly tired the patience of the officers.  Whatever others may say or think to the contrary.  I consider his position the most trying.  Obliged to be constantly on the alert, watching and caring for his men, seeing that none stray too far from the regiment, that others who, through weariness, fall by the way side are properly cares for–suffering from heat, from chill, from hunger.  These latter, in common with his command, with many other petty sources of annoyance, place an officer in a position sometimes not to be envied.  Lieut. Colburn has faithfully performed his duty, and deserves credit not only at our hands, but at the hands of all at home who feel an interest in the members of company E.  We hope our captain will soon be able to relieve him of his heavy duties.  Those of us who are in camp at the present time are well, except perhaps a few cases where the dampness causes rheumatic pains.  I fear from what I see at times, that many of us will soon be pulled down by this most painful disease.  Give us plenty of dry weather and we will hope for the best.

            They do say that our Brigade is transferred into Banks’ Division.  If so glory to God for the change; to-morrow will settle the business.

            Yesterday a few of us started for pure water:  we found a fine spring about two miles from camp, on the farm of a certain Dr. Burke.  He is one of those kind of men who think the rebellion all O. K. – gives freely to the army of Jackson, has one son in his army, but from us he hides all his good things, except his cows; for the favor which he grants us, by allowing them to eat grass, we feel thankful, as by experience we find their milk excellent in quality, but as to quantity can’t speak so confidently, as we lost our measures while out of camp; but we thought we might as well enter into the spirit of the thing and have a pic-nic; so taking a few dippers of water, and a few lemons to the top of the hill, we sat down under the spreading branches of several ancient oak trees, made a table cloth out of some newspapers, and at it we went.  We were all in good spirits–rather hungry and very dry–had quite a conversation with an intelligent darky boy, and learned almost enough from him to hang his master, but thought of the cows and let him alone.  We then concluded to have a bath, and filling our dippers with milk, we hid them in the brook at the foot of the hill, and started for the Shenandoah, passing through a field of wheat at least five feet high.  A portion of the wheat was prostrate to the earth.  These mountain storms sweep all before them.  We had a swim, after which we visited the grave yard of Front Royal–plucking a rose from the grave of Col. Wheatley, late of the rebel army.  I pitied the poor slave whose grave was outside the fence in the road; the ---- most clearly showed his earthly position,–and finally, as the minister says, reached camp, went on dress parade, eat, no, drank some coffee, and lastly, went to bed to dream of home.  They do say the guerillas are in the mountains; don’t believe it.

            Please excuse these rambling thoughts, and believe me ever.

                        Yours Respectively, 

Azof.

  

            P.S.  A circumstance rather more vexatious than otherwise, occurred to-day.  Lieut. Frost was placed under arrest.  The charges performed against him were as follows:  First, for appearing as guard mounting with pants inside his boot.  Second, having sword in position of parade rest, which position is in accordance with sword exercise, but not in accordance with the custom of the Massachusetts 13th.  Third, giving an order after having sheathed his sword.  Your own judgment will weigh the charges as well as our Roxbury friends, and pronounce them foolish in the extreme.  The charges are most probably performed to gratify personal feeling.

Blog in Real Time, June 14, 1862

JUNE 14, 1861.

THIRTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS.

        The May report of the Thirteenth Massachusetts regiment has been received by Adjutant General Schouler. On Sunday last the regiment was at Front Royal. Col. Leonard had rejoined his command. Lieut. Col.  Batchelder and Capt. Scriber are absent on detached service. Capt. C.  H. Hovey, John G, Hovey and W. H. Judson, are sick at Washington, and Capt. W. L. Clark at Front Royal. Twenty-one had been discharged during the month, and the following deaths had occurred:-

        John T. Fuller, Co. B, of Boston, and Charles B. Cushing, Co. C, of Brighton, both drowned; Samuel W. Wheeler, Co. H, of Natick, left out of ranks on march and died; O. V. Newton, Co. I, of Marlboro, died at Washington. (Boston Herald, June 14, 1862, Pg. 4, Col. 3.)